SCENE SCRIBE
By Michael Swanger scenescribe@mchsi.com
Index Case returns with stronger, darker, independent release ‘Augustagein’
A series of monthly concerts chronologically revisiting the last three albums made by Index Case in their entirety culminates Saturday, June 12 with a show at People’s Court in which the Des Moines-based metal band performs material from its new, independent album, “Augustagein.” For Index Case, one of Des Moines’ most talked about metal bands in the post-Slipknot era, it signifies a new chapter in their 12-year-career.
“I think this is our best album,” said singer Joe Ansley, 29. “It feels good to be back.”
“Augustagein” is the long awaited follow-up to the band’s 2005 self-titled album, which was released on Mortal Records, an independent label in Chicago. Some of its songs, including “The Cut” and “Underwater,” were written and recorded in 2006. But its darker themes and angst are the result of the band’s roller-coaster off-stage affairs, including changes in personnel and being signed, then promptly shelved, by Elektra/No Name Records, which soon folded after inking a deal with Index Case.
Longtime singer Ansley and founding guitarist Josh Parker agreed to wait to produce their own music on their own terms before releasing “Augustagein” this week. The album also marks the debut recording for the band’s current lineup of the last year or so, including bassist Nick Borror and drummer Josh Ickowitz.
“When we got signed to Elektra, it took us four months to make an album. They put us up in a big mansion near Malibu to record ‘The L,’ and it was pretty much every kid’s dream of being in a rock band,” Ansley said. “But when we got there, we found out it wasn’t what we thought it would be. The minute we showed up, they threw this producer in there with us who was helping us rewrite and change the formats of the songs. Then it turned into a battle.”
Elektra/No Name Records eventually issued “The L,” but then folded. After signing with Mortal Records and touring for two years, Ansley said Index Case was broke.
“We had everything, and it went down to nothing,” he said. “So Josh and I said, ‘screw the labels,’ that’s not in the picture anymore. Let’s make an album that we love no matter how long it takes.”
Ansley and Parker set a goal to record a new album in six months, but six months turned into three years.
“The freedom was great, but sometimes you need someone to push you. Sometimes we’d go months without seeing each other just to get away from it all,” Ansley said.
With that said, Ansley admits that, “Augustagein” marks a comeback for the band.
“I didn’t like being away,” he said. “People thought we had broke up, but we were hibernating, working on the album.”
Ansley said the current lineup is Index Case’s most cohesive and that fans should find “Augustagein” worth the wait. He describes the first half of the album as “straight-up rock” and the second half as “more theatrical, more Index Case.” While most of the songs are concise, the last track, “Favor’s Keeper,” is a 30-minute odyssey that includes buzzing bees.
“Lyrically, this album is a little more aggravated,” Ansley said. “But I don’t like to write lyrics that are straight ahead. I like to paint a picture so the listener can relate to them from a time in their own life.”
Speaking of interpreting Index Case’s music, the band gave fellow musician and friend Shaun Riekena of Taciturn a copy of the album and asked him to create its artwork. The result, Ansley said, is an original piece of art unlike that found on any of their previous albums.
“He’s an all-around, extremely talented person,” Ansley said.
The singer says the band plans to book a Midwest tour in the fall to promote “Augustagein,” which they released independently. They are also unveiling a new Web site and making their music available online.
“This album is the best we’ve ever been,” Ansley said. “It’s like listening to a movie of our lives the past few years.” CV
caption: Index Case hosts an all-ages CD release party on Saturday, June 12 at 8 p.m. at People’s Court. Mindrite opens the show. Tickets are $10.
